A European holiday has a lot to offer, from fine dining to fairytale castles to bespoke cultural tours, but it also has a dark side. After all, this is the birthplace of many of the legendary monsters that keep us awake at night, such as vampires and werewolves. Ghosts lurk around spooky castles, dark caves and abandoned islands in Europe’s most haunted locations.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, when you step into France’s Château de Brissac, the eternal home of a woman murdered there centuries ago, or onto the forest paths of Hoia-Bachou. There’s no denying the eerie feeling you get. A Romanian destination spookier than Dracula’s Castle. And while it’s unlikely you’ll contract the plague today (we hope so), a visit to Poveglia Island will help you remember the time of the Black Plague, when plague victims were transported to the island from nearby Venice. will take you back to.
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kilkenny, ireland
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This Irish city has a legendary past filled with tragic events that are said to have left ghosts that visitors still witness today. Kilkenny, about 130 miles from Dublin, was the site of Ireland’s first witch trials. Accused in 1324, Lady Alice Kitterer eventually fled, leaving her maid Petronilla de Midia to be prosecuted as a witch in her place. Another tragedy occurred in 1763 when a flood caused the bridge to collapse and 16 people drowned in the river. Today, people are reporting seeing an eerie figure towering above the fog over the River Nore in the early morning hours.
Poveglia island, Italy
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Just off the glittering coast of Venice lies the tiny island of Poveglia, which is no different from its tourist-filled neighbor. This haunted island was once home to those who died from the bubonic plague, and later became a psychiatric hospital in the early 1900s. In the 1930s, rumors abounded that doctors conducted experiments on patients there. The island is now abandoned, but several local tour companies (Classic Boat Venice and Venice Tours by Boat) offer tours.
Chateau de Brissac, France
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Despite its gilded ceilings and luxurious furnishings, this hauntingly beautiful Loire Valley chateau hides dark secrets. According to legend, in the Chateau de Brissac he committed a double murder in the 15th century. Charlotte is an unfaithful wife named Breeze, and her lover was murdered by her husband. After that woman’s untimely death, she remained trapped there forever, and she still wanders the castle today. Because she wears a green gown, she is known as La Dame Verte, the Green Lady, and is often seen in the tower room of the chapel.
tower of london, united kingdom
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The bloody history of this iconic tower is well known in ghost stories. The Tower of London was first built in his 11th century to protect royal power and has been used as a prison and execution site. Henry VI is said to have been killed in the Tower during the Wars of the Roses, as were three queens: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Jane Grey. The ghost of Anne Boleyn is now said to walk through Tower Green, her execution site, and Arbella Stuart, Queen Elizabeth’s cousin who was arrested for marrying without royal permission, is said to be haunting the Queen’s mansion. It’s rumored.
Akershus Fortress, Norway
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This medieval fortress was the site of a prison completed around 1300 and closed in 1950. Prison sentences at Akershus Fortress often involved hard labor, and irons and chains were known to be used as methods of disciplining prisoners. Rumors persisted of hearing whispers and scratching in the hallways, and guards reported feeling the strange sensation of being pushed by someone who wasn’t there while on duty. Admission is free, and tours are offered daily in English during the summer.
Dragsholm Castle, Denmark
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You can spend the night in this historic Danish castle, now a luxury hotel, but first you might want to learn about its haunted history. Located near Nexserow Bay, the extensively rebuilt medieval castle is home to Mary Queen of Scots’ third husband, James Earl of Bothwell, who was imprisoned there, including Hepburn and the last Bishop of Roskilde. Many people are thought to be possessed. He owned the castle until he was deposed of that title during the Protestant Reformation. Paranormal encounters occur frequently with two women, the White Lady and the Gray Lady. The former is said to be the ghost of a girl who was imprisoned in the castle after her father found out she was pregnant, and the latter is said to be the ghost of a servant who died soon after complaining of a mysterious toothache.
Wolfseck Castle, Germany
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Not far from Munich, Wolfsegg Castle is a 14th-century landmark famous for its haunting of the White Lady. According to her story, Lady Wolfsegg was murdered by her husband because he suspected her of having an affair while he was away. Adding to the spookiness, there are caves hidden beneath the floorboards that not only serve as secret passageways to collect natural spring water, but are also home to several species of bats and other creepy, creepy creatures. The castle is open to visitors from May to October.
Hoia Baciu Forest, Romania
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Located in the Romanian hinterland, in a classically spooky region of Transylvania, Hoia Baciu is one of the most haunted forests in the world. There are many stories about this forest about ghosts, witches, UFOs, etc., but the most disturbing thing you can see with your own eyes is the mysterious felling of trees. Nothing grows here, and although scientists have performed experiments looking for an explanation in the soil composition, nothing has been found. If you’re feeling daring, take a night tour from the nearest town of Cluj-Napoca.
Zugaramurdi, Spain
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The Zugaramurdi Caves in northern Navarra tell the story of the Spanish witch trials of the 17th century. Legend has it that in these caves, dozens of accused witches (11 of whom were later burned at the stake) performed satanic rituals and chanted spells every night. A plaque commemorating the accused women has been installed at the site, and a small witch museum delves deeper into the subject, examining traditional pagan rituals and women’s healing practices.
Frango Castello, Greece
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You might think of the Greek island of Crete as the perfect place for a sunny getaway, but it turns out the ghosts of this seaside castle have theirs, too. May 17 marks the anniversary of a deadly battle that broke out here during the Greek War of Independence in the 19th century, and local residents claim that to this day they can witness the soldiers’ ghosts returning every year. doing. This phenomenon, known as dorosourite, takes the form of shadows falling on castle walls, but although there is no photographic evidence, the phenomenon only lasts about 10 minutes and only occurs in the morning when the sea is calm.
